These e-bike accessories make riding more practical, safe, and fun


Last year, I decided I would start getting around New York City on an e-bike instead of dealing with crowded public transportation and expensive cabs. It’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

Most of that time has been spent riding a Juiced Bikes CrossCurrent X, although many were tested on a litany of other e-bikes as well. Over time, I’ve adopted several accessories to improve the riding experience, livability, and practicality of these bikes – many upgrades which I now can’t imagine living without. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite accessories below.

I intend for this to be a living list to be updated with new accessories over time. Keep in mind that though some of these products were sent for testing by their respective companies, everything on this list is a product I’ve actually tested extensively and genuinely enjoy using.

Though the products below were mostly tested on the CCX on New York City streets, and are intended for e-bike users who aren’t too concerned with weight or aerodynamics, they should work for any cyclist – some of them might even be useful for those on e-scooters too.

Lumos Matrix Helmet

Before I began getting around NYC on e-bikes, I was an occasional driver. And when I was driving, there were few things more annoying than cyclists who didn’t give turn signals.

Now as a cyclist, I’ve come to realize few drivers around these parts seem to even understand hand signals.

Thank goodness, then, for the Lumos Matrix helmet. A futuristic-looking noggin-protector with a cavalcade of customizable LED animations, the Matrix comes with a remote that straps onto your handlebars to activate turn signals. These are visible from both the front and the rear, unlike some alternatives, and the lights are bright enough to be seen in the daytime. The remote also contains an accelerometer, which is used to flash a warning light when you brake.

Most importantly, drivers seem to actually pay attention to me, giving me the right of way or waiting for me to make a turn in a way I never felt when simply using hand signals.. I even once got a comment from a driver thanking me for using turn signals.

Unfortunately, the Lumos Matrix is quite pricey at a street price of around $200 ($250 for the MIPS version). However, Lumos has a few less fancy, more affordable variants, and the company is currently working on a new $99 Lumos Ultra to begin shipping this fall as well.

Revelo Thinstem

The worst part about owning a bike in the city is how much space it takes. The ~$80 Revelo Thinstem fixes that with such a simple but clever idea that I can’t believe it’s not more common: it allows you to rotate the handlebars without turning the front wheel, turning your bike from an obstruction a couple of feet wide, to taking up just a few inches of horizontal space.

It means I no longer get stabbed by handlebars when rushing down my hallway, it means my bike is easier to bring in and out of my building, and it makes the bike easier to lock up in a crowded rack. Plus it takes about 5 minutes to install

I’m sure some of you are worried about the stem coming loose while riding, but there are a series of fail-safes in place to prevent that from happening Add a pair of folding or removable pedals (which Revelo also sells), and your bike goes from being an inconvenient obstruction to hardly taking any space at all.

Rearview mirrors

Here’s another accessory that I ‘borrowed’ from being a driver: rear-view mirrors. Of course, I can just look over my shoulder, but in a crowded traffic like NYC’s with unscrupulous pedestrians and cab drivers out of Mad Max, you can’t really afford to look away from what’s in front of you for very long. On an e-bike, where the added weight and drag are inconsequential, having rear-view mirrors feels like a no-brainer

I’ve used both these and these cheap rear view mirrors – each less than 30 bucks a pair – but anything that helps you look behind without taking your eyes off the road ahead will surely keep you safer.

Wald 133 Front Quick Release Basket

As far as I’m concerned, every bike should be a cargo bike. And though the Juiced CCX comes with a sturdy rear rack, sometimes I want to be able to keep an eye on my haul and not have to worry about bringing panniers or a bungee strap coming loose.

The Wald Quick Release front basket is an excellent solution for bikes that don’t come with front rack mounts. Wald is a reputable old name when it comes to bike accessories, and the sturdy lightweight basket can easily be removed to bring into the store for small shopping trips.

It can carry a large grocery bag or two worth of cargo, especially if you use a net or strap to keep items secure. And though you might have to get used to riding with the added weight on the front, the convenience and peace of mind of being able to see your haul is worth it. As a bonus, since the basket is easily removable, you don’t always have to bring it in

At less than $40 bucks, it’s a fairly inexpensive way to add a whole lot of utility.

Burley Travoy

Keeping with the cargo theme, sometimes you just need to carry large items or just do a massive grocery haul. Though quite pricey at $300, I’m convinced the Burley Travoy is the most practical cargo solution for most e-bike riders willing to pay.

Part bike trailer, part hand-truck, and part-granny cart, the Travoy attaches to your seatpost through a quick release hitch that makes the trailer easy to add and remove. I’ve carried everything from a couple of weeks worth of groceries to a Christmas tree to a drafting chair using the trailer; those last two aren’t something you’re likely to fit in a pannier.